Beckmaze Historical Society hosting first fundraiser

A fundraiser will be held July 12 at the Dewey-Wedgwood Home at Beckmaze. A group of local historians, the Beckmaze Historical Society, is working to create a museum out of the historic home.Supplied

The Dewey-Wedgwood Home at Beckmaze, which has been playing a role in Wyoming's history since 1834, will hold its first official fundraiser and membership drive from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, on the grounds of the historic site, 2551 Oaklane SW. The home is located west off Byron Center Avenue, north of Buck Creek. Parking will be available in the Abundant Life Church parking lot.

The afternoon will feature an outdoor property tour and demonstrations of blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, rope-making, beekeeping and other crafts. Admission is a donation of $5 per person at the property entrance. Indoor tours of the historic home will require an additional $5 donation.

The site's history goes back to 1834, when it was home to a sawmill that provided lumber that helped build the city of Chicago. One of the workers there was Hiram Jenison, who earned enough at the sawmill to buy parcels of land to the west and found the town of Jenison with his brothers. The house later became a stop on the Underground Railroad and offered a safe hiding place for escaped slaves. A few decades later, it was home to the Beck-Maze artist colony frequented by notable artists of the day, including Mathias Alten. Later still, it was the site of the Wedgwood Christian Boys Home.

All proceeds from the event will go to the restoration fund, and donations are tax-deductible. Membership in the Beckmaze Historical Society is open to anyone interested in working to restore the home and property into a museum.